So, how do you pile up 783 victories to become the sixth winningest coach in Illinois high school basketball history?
Leave no stone unturned and sweat the details.
That was pretty obvious this week, catching up with West Aurora coach Gordie Kerkman to preview the coming season. He is fast approaching his next milestone — win No. 800 — and should get it this season, his 39th leading the Blackhawks and 53rd coaching in the district.
West opens later than most teams, playing at the Rock Island Tournament with two games on Friday (noon vs. Richwoods and 7:30 p.m. vs. the hosts) and two on Saturday (1:30 p.m., Bogan; 6 p.m. South Shore).
On Tuesday morning, the 74-year-old Kerkman had already settled into his routine, which includes plenty of preparation.
Following Monday’s practice, he had scouted East Aurora in its season opener against St. Charles East.
West returns to the Upstate Eight Conference after leaving the DuPage Valley and will resume playing the Tomcats twice a season in a series that dates to 1912.
The first comes pretty quick — Saturday, Dec. 6. Even though his Blackhawks beat East by 35 points last year and 33 the year before, the two biggest margins in the 217-game history of the rivalry, Kerkman wasn’t taking them lightly.
“Their kids got down (early vs. St. Charles East) but they kept battling,” he said. “They play hard and they’re a lot better.”
West Aurora lost Beacon-News Player of the Year Jontrell Walker and his 23.3 points-per-game to graduation.
Three experienced seniors, led by Illinois State recruit Roland Griffin, return. The 6-6 Griffin averaged 15.7 points and 8.1 rebounds last season.
Also back are 5-9 senior point guard Matt Dunn (7.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists) and 6-3 senior forward Tommy Koth (8.0 points, 3.9 rebounds). All are third-year varsity players.
“I expect more out of all of them,” Kerkman said. “I’m not saying we underachieved (falling short of the supersectional for the first time in three years) but I think everyone thought we were capable of playing better.
“Roland, Matt and Tommy all came out of their shells, though, and I think that will continue.”
West also lost 6-8 junior center Carleton Williams, who moved to Montgomery, Ala., (Carver High School) and will be missed in the post.
Rounding out the starting lineup, at least early on, will likely be 5-10 senior Marquis Howard and 5-9 senior Reggie Jordan.
“They’re both good players and play hard,” Kerkman said, noting Howard is a defensive whiz who can also get hot from beyond the 3-point line.
Four players who could bolster the frontline are 6-0 freshman Camron Donatlan, 6-6 sophomore Luis Sanchez, 6-4 senior DeMarcus Jones and 6-2 junior Drake Spears.
Donatlan played with the varsity in the summer and could soon start. Sanchez transferred from Mexico after the start of the school year and could also get starts. He won’t, however, be eligible for the opening tournament.
“If you start school within 10 days of the first day, you’re immediately eligible,” Kerkman said. “Since he started later, he has to wait 30 days. He’ll be eligible next week.”
Spears played on the sophomore team as a freshman but did not come out last season. He’s coming off an ankle injury, suffered in the final game of the football season.
“He’s not that big but he’s a very good rebounder and just a very good athlete,” said Kerkman. “Jones, if he picks it up, could play a little bit.”
